Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Digging to China

I haven't written about this before because I wasn't really sure it was going to happen. But now I'm really feeling like things are falling in to place, and that I can tell everyone that we are moving to China for a few years. We are going on business, and the company is planning on us going for 2 years, but we suspect it may be longer.

I know this is hard for other people to understand, but this is something we have wanted to do for a long time. We did live in China once before, for two years. But ever since then, we have wanted a chance to go back. I wouldn't want to move there permanently, but we just want one more chance to do this before we get too old. I can't explain the draw to you. I think if you have the "China bug", then you understand, and if you don't have it, you don't.

I'm not sure how my blogging will work while I'm there. I am pretty sure that "Blogger" is blocked by the great China "firewall". I'm hoping that I can get a sibling to post things for me.

So now I am in the process of trying to figure out what to give away, and what to store. Storage costs are quite high, so I don't want to store anything that I could easily replace later. It's really nice to think about paring down and getting back to the essentials, but it does give new meaning to "digging to China". We have never spent much money on "things", and especially furniture, so most of the furniture that we own can be disposed of. We have always kind of lived with the idea that one day we would be going back, and so we never really spent money on things that would tie us here.

We have a family vacation to China planned in August. Some friends will be meeting us there. I think we will just move before then so that we can be settled when they come. We will rent our home while we are gone. So basically I have 3 months to prepare. Yikes!

I'll fill you in more on the developments as they happen, but for now, I'm going back to digging my way through my old junk.

11 comments:

Maria from SilverFox said...

How wonderfully exciting. I am so glad you are following your dream. Promise you will find a way to blog while there because we will all want to follow your adventures.

Grannymar said...

Great chance for a second stay in China. Busy times ahead, enjoy the preparation and anticipation. I hope you will find a way to blog the experience.

Fromagette said...

Wow, that is exciting! I also hope that you are able to blog so that we can hear all about your experiences there.

Where exactly will you be? I have an aunt and uncle in Shanghai and it would be fun if you were able to connect with them.

Elizabeth said...

That's exciting! I am happy for you and your family. I think it will be a wonderful experience.

Nene said...

I'm excited for you and hoping that you'll still be able to show up at family reunions each year. Also, if you and your family ever need a place to meet (those that are going and those that are staying) please feel free to come stay with us. We have 2 free bedrooms plus a pull out couch.
I know how excited you must be. We hope to be able to go back to Ireland to visit sometime or maybe even serve a mission.

Rummuser said...

I am delighted for you.

Becky said...

Enjoy all the preparation for your great adventure. (It's a given that you'll enjoy the adventure itself.) It's always nice when our dreams come true!

Inklings said...

I hope all will go well with your house (both ends), your pets, your kids, etc, even though I hate the thoughts of having you half a world away. It will be an interesting adventure for you. (Not to be confused with the Chinese curse," May you live in interesting times." :0) )

blackwatertown said...

Excellent. Very exciting. Which part of China?
Also - you could try switching to wordpress - I've found it very user friendly with helpful staff.

Anonymous said...

Hi - enjoy China - where will you be based? It is a huge country and very different in different parts. Re blogging, get a good VPN as a sibling can't look at your favourite blogs for you even if s/he can post yours now and again. I spent days researching and trying to find the free ones but they all get blocked too - try strongvpn.com - about $30 for three months and really simple once you get it. See http://elspethc.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/to-wordpress-re-blocked-sites-and-vpn-etc/
Once a Shanghai Granny, hope you have a great time, also get hold of shanghaimamas website and community if you are there.

Terri said...

The most amazing thing happened last weekend...we were walking along in downtown Provo after the ground-breaking for the City Center Temple and Teresa came running out of a shop to say hello! She is sooo excited about the move. I wish you could come with Paul and see us before you go.